I'm not usually a big fan of anthology films (although whether this is actually an anthology could be cause for debate seeing as all segments here are written and directed by the same individual as opposed to being part of a collaboration between various filmmakers) but this one really takes the cake (no pun intended.. well maybe a little). The singular directorial voice present throughout all six short segments connects them in a way that feels like episodes of distant family members rather than completely separate narrative events. With sweeping camera movements, breathtaking photography and darkly effective humor, Szifron links these disparately desperate characters together in a world where revenge is the norm. Pushed to the brink of their psychological limits, these outrageously riled up characters all end up giving themselves up to the slumbering darkness that exists within us all.
Whether it's a daughter reluctantly getting even with the man who ruined her family's life, a scorned man taking everybody who ever wronged him down with him, two drivers who can't deal with their road rage, a man standing up to the abuses of municipal government, a father feeding his son to the wolves over financial complications regarding covering up his crime or a bride transforming her wedding into a twisted danse macabre after learning of her husband's infidelity during the actual wedding, there's never a dull moment in these wild tales of human irony.
Laughing or cringing, it's impossible to remain indifferent to these surprisingly powerful stories. Furthermore, you never know where they'll ultimately end up as they constantly go beyond the realms of expectations even though they all start off feeling as if conventional genres were about to unfold. The detailed yet subtle storytelling is a joy to behold, where careful attention to each shot (such as whether a little girl laughs or not at a birthday party) rewards the viewer later on for his scrutiny.
Szifron's beautifully crafted images and narrative choices go a long way in making us feel the emotional heaviness of each character's predicament. Whether you're delighted or disgusted, it's just simply impossible to look away, which is the ultimate testament to the undeniable talents of a storyteller at the top of his game.
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